Old Timers induct another seven boys of summer

Photo by Chris Barber
The new inductees into the Kennett Old Times Hall of Fame sit for a portrait after the banquet. Front row from left are Mark Beeson, Dan Ward, Mark Mackey and Frank Henry; second row, Dave Lam, Dave Hissey, Phillies analyst Ben Davis, Old Timers President Bob Burton, Mercer Jones.

KENNETT SQUARE — It’s a couple months yet until Major League Baseball invites its fans to cheer on their favorite boys of summer, but spirit was cooking Saturday night.

The Kennett Old Timers Association inducted another seven local players into its Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Kennett Fire Company Red Clay Room. It was the 33rd annual banquet, and the crowd of about 300 (mostly) Phillies fans was just as enthusiastic as it was after their team won the World Series in 2008.

They were presented to the audience, received plaques, and had their photos taken with the evening’s speaker, Comcast Phillies analyst Ben Davis.

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The Kennett Old Timers Association was created in 1974 through the efforts of a group of men who loved baseball, among them, the late Bat Burton of Burton’s Barbershop. It honors local, living players who have achieved success playing in high school, summer leagues, post high school and/or college.

The barbershop on State Street in the borough is a virtual baseball museum. Its walls are lined with pictures of local hall of fame inductees, and on the shelves are hundreds of autographed pictures, baseballs, bats and hats from not only local players but those from the big leagues as well.

At Saturday’s banquet, Bat’s son and association President Bob Burton as well as community volunteer Prissy Roberts oversaw the festivities, which included a raffle, a Phillies highlights video, a buffet dinner, induction of new members and comments by Davis. In addition to his current job as a media sports analyst, Davis also played Major League Baseball as a catcher with the San Diego Padres, the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox. He is also a graduate of Malvern Prep.

After posing for photos with the inductees, he presented his thoughts on the Phillies’ upcoming season, his love of baseball and his memories of playing for manager Lou Piniella.

Piniella, who has a reputation as a colorful manager, once told Davis after watching him get a hit, “You look like Tarzan, but you swing like Jane.”

Regarding the Phillies, Davis said the key to the Phillies 2013 success is its three pitchers, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamils.

When he was asked if the Phillies have sufficient backup in the farm system if Ryan Howard at first base and Chase Utley at second aren’t up to the job, he admitted that the Phillies farm teams have been depleted by trades. However, “You can’t beat a healthy Howard and Utley,” he said.

He said the Phillies are a true home team. “You can talk about the Eagles, the Flyers and the 76ers, but the Phillies represent the real spirit of Philadelphia,” he said.

Commenting on the recent news that no player had earned enough votes to be inducted into this year’s Major League Hall of Fame, Davis said so many players take performance enhancing drugs that the overseers of the honor will have to decide whether to “let them all in or none of them.”

As for the coming season, he believes the Washington Nationals will be the team to beat in the National League.

The inductees to the Old Timers Hall of Fame come from all over southern Chester County. This year’s crop are largely graduates of Kennett or Unionville high schools.

Lam, a Kennett graduate, played Little League, Babe Ruth and Legion ball. He earned 12 sports letters in high school.

Jones, a Kennett graduate, played men’s senior league baseball including 12 years in the West Chester Adult League.

Hissey, a graduate of Springfield Montgomery County High School, played college ball and travels evey year to play the Fall Classic in Florida.

Henry, a Kennett graduate, played in college and with the West Chester Adult League.

Ward, a Unionville graduate, played adult baseball and, like Hissey, traveled to many Fall Classic tournaments in Florida. He also spent six years coaching Little League.

Mackey, a Unionville graduate, played American Legion ball and varsity at high school.

Beeson, a Unionville graduate, played varsity football, basketball and wrestling at high school and was awarded “most valuable athlete.” He also played eight years of Kennett Men’s Senior Baseball.

About the Author

Chris Barber is the zone editor of the Avon Grove Sun. She is a lifelong resident of Kennett Square and a graduate of Unionville High School and Carleton College majoring in religion and minoring in astronomy. She is the founder of the Kennett Area YMCA. Reach the author at cbarber@21st-centurymedia.com
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